Home District Space Policy Activism Blitz in Illinois

By Jim Plaxco

07/07/2016

In 2014, Chicago Society for Space Studies (CSSS) members and officers took part in the Alliance for Space Development / National Space Society / Space Frontier Foundation Home District Blitz. CSSS representatives visited with three United States Representatives and one candidate for the U.S. Congress. The purpose of each of these meetings was to inform our elected leaders (and candidates) of our position on several issues of national space policy.

It is now 2016 and once again elections are around the corner and the Alliance for Space Development in conjunction with the National Space Society and the Space Frontier Foundation are again initiating their Home District Blitz. While CSSS did not participate in 2015, it is our goal to participtate again in 2016.

In order for our participation in the 2016 Home District Blitz to be successful, CSSS is actively seeking residents of northeastern Illinois congressional districts who would be willing to participate in a visit to their representative's local office.

If you are passionate about space exploration and space policy, then please join us. Among the areas of space policy that will be addressed are:

support of the Space Exploration, Development, and Settlement Act (H.R. 4752)

To participate in this project or to get additional information, please contact CSSS President Jim Plaxco via email by

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Those wishing to participate in the Home District Blitz will find the following information useful. Note that we are especially interested in volunteers who live in the 3rd, 11th, and 14th congressional districts.

Illinois Congressional Delegation - 2016

CongressionalDistrict

Status

Name

Party

1st

Yes

Bobby Rush

(D)

2nd

Yes

Robin Kelly

(D)

3rd

Yes,(1),(2)

Daniel Lipinski

(D)

4th

Yes

Luis Gutierrez

(D)

5th

Yes

Mike Quigley

(D)

6th

Yes

Peter Roskam

(R)

7th

Yes

Danny Davis

(D)

8th

Yes

Tammy Duckworth

(D)

9th

Yes

Janice Schakowsky

(D)

10th

Yes

Bob Dold

(R)

11th

Yes,(1)

Bill Foster

(D)

12th

Mike Bost

(R)

13th

(2)

Rodney Davis

(R)

14th

Yes,(1)

Randy Hultgren

(R)

15th

John Shimkus

(R)

16th

Adam Kinzinger

(R)

17th

(2)

Cheri Bustos

(D)

18th

(1)

Darin LaHood

(R)

The "Status" field in the above table identifies with a Yes those congressional districts that are located in northeastern Illinois - which is our targeted area of operation. Additionally, the (1) and (2) indicate which relevant committees and/or subcommittees the associated representative is a member of. These committees are indicated below. CSSS is most interested in meeting with these representatives.

U.S. House Committees and Subcommittees with Illinois Representatives As Members

Note that the United States House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Aviation Subcommittee
has oversight of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA has the responsibility and authority within the Department of Transportation to facilitate, regulate, and promote the commercial space launch industry and is therefore of interest to us with respect to U.S. national space policy.

Note that the Alliance for Space Development includes the following organizations: Space Frontier Foundation, National Space Society, the Lifeboat Foundation, The Mars Foundation, The Mars Society, the Space Development Foundation, the Space Development Steering Committee, the Space Tourism Society, Students for the Exploration and Development of Space, Students on Capitol Hill, and the Texas Space Alliance.

Show your support of space exploration and development by participating in the Home District Blitz. Thank you.

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